Hello all! This week I will hopefully be brief and be gone, as I'm off to California on Wednesday to visit fellow blogger for the Lorax (she hasn't posted yet, but don't worry, she will)! Next week I'll be blogging live from California--or wherever we are by then. We will be road-tripping across the country, so who knows where I'll be posting from!
Theme of the week is..... there is no theme! I found two really neat links for this week, and I designed the challenge around them.
Enjoy!
Challenge 29: Be aware of sad panda problems. So, I came across this article this week:
http://www.grist.org/list/2011-11-09-study-we-have-five-years-to-stop-climate-change-or-it-will-be-to
Now, that fucking sucks. But, what can we as individuals do?
1. Invest in clean energy. Buy it. Vote for it. Realize that--despite what conservatives who work for oil companies/natural gas companies/coal companies say-- we only have so much oil. And that when it runs out--well, we're going to be really fucking screwed. So, it is in our best interest to invest in green energy NOW, so that when the oil runs out, we are able to still, you know, exist.
2. Support for urban/rural forests and vote for regulations to keep them safe. Now, there's a ton (well, billions of tons) of carbon in the air. And we need this carbon to be gobbled up by trees. Now, the problem is that a lot of forest land is now farmland. However, there is still hope. Trees om nom nom carbon, so it would be in our best interest to plant as many of them as possible. Trees also create cleaner air, cleaner water, and an all around better living environment for us human folk-- so let's get on that.
3. Support things that are going to control the population. Now, this is a delicate subject. In fact, even the most green of green leaders will barely even speak about this issue. Al Gore made a statement a little while ago that said something along the lines of, 'we need more people living better lives, not more people living. We need small, strong families'. And--of course *liberal bias face*-- right wing conservatives flipped out and essentially called him a socialist Satan who would personally wonder around performing abortions on everyone. But--despite the crazy of ignorant people--we do need more people living better lives, and not just more people living. Quality of life > number of people alive. Sorry, but that's just this girls opinion. So, how can you control the human population (without having everyone you know sprayed or neutered?)
a. Support/vote for access to birth control. This means free access to birth control, and laws that allow access to birth control. Condoms cost less than babies. And it's in everyone's best interest if people have as many babies as they want-- see keyword want.
b. Don't pressure anyone ever in your life to have kids. We are in a situation where we have the technology to make a very high percentage of pregnancies planned. Which is great. Desired children are generally much more well adjusted. This is not saying that unplanned children aren't loved etc. There is a huge difference between a child that wasn't planned and a child that isn't wanted. I know this is pretty unpopular thinking with most people--but I think that a child knows if it's unwanted, or if a child is born because that's just, 'what you do'. If someone wants 5 kids, and has the means/desire to raise them right--then they should 100% be allowed to have that many kids. When people are educated, and have opportunities/support, they generally choose to have fewer children on average. This means babies for people that want babies and no social pressure for people who don't want them. Everyone wins. There's more resources for the children who are born--and no social pressure on people who would rather co-parent their nieces/nephews/friends' kids than have their own.
c. Support teaching sex education. Once again, I'm going to go out on a huge limb and be really unpopular here and say the following--schools need to teach kids about sex. The United States has many states that teach abstinence only education--and they also have an ASTRONOMICALLY HIGH unplanned pregnancy rate. Over 50% of pregnancies in America are unplanned--that's higher than some sub-Saharan African third world countries. The unplanned pregnancy rate in other first world countries is less than 10% on average. I understand the principles behind not teaching kids about their own bodies and only teaching abstinence only education--I just think it's fucking stupid. You're assuming that parents are teaching these kids these facts of life--clearly this isn't happening. Let's face it--teenagers are going to have sex. They just are. If you think otherwise--you're even dumber than I thought. So, since this is happening, it's probably a good idea for kids to have an idea of how their bodies work-- so that they a. can't be taken advantage of b. don't have a child at 16. Plus, silence breeds guilt about their bodies and can warp kids sexually for the rest of their lives. Just saying.
d. Stop treating babies like puppies. The media loves to make having a baby look easy--case in point, everyone one of those 'Teen Moms' is now a millionaire--but it's not. At all. Not even remotely. Having a baby isn't for sissies--and raising a normal, productive, solid kid is fucking HARD work. People who do it should get medals, seriously. Because that this ain't easy--at all. We need to look at shows like '19/A bazillion Kids & Counting' or 'A Baby Story' or '16 and pregnant' and see that there is massive production manipulation behind these shows. Having a family that is stable and loving takes work--a lot of it. And it doesn't wrap up nicely every 30 minutes. And another thing (as I'm pretty much in full rage blackout right now), let's not have '16 & pregnant' saying it shows the 'real truth' of teen pregnancy when it splices in adorable Huggies commercials at every interval. Those shows are about buying stuff. They want you to have babies so you buy more stuff--not so you find emotional fulfillment through having a child.
Okay. Epic baby rant. Ended.
And yes, 5 years is doable--if we get our shit together POST HASTE. Keep in mind that the Republican party will essentially be running on a "FUCK THE EPA WITH A SHARP THING" ballot--so I really wouldn't be voting for them in 2012--you know, unless you hate clean air and clean water and animals and reaaaaally love cancer--then vote for them all you like!
Challenge 30: Make this Christmas/Holiday season a slow, green one.
On a much, much lighter note:
I won't lie-- I really love Christmas, and I always have. However, the reason I love Christmas is because there are so many events and get togethers to be with family and friends. I was kind of over the gift side of things by the time I was 14--it just feels empty to me. I rather have a 5$ really thoughtful card than an expensive gift any day of the week.
So this year--make it a slow holiday. No crazy. No anxiety. Just be with whomever you love, gather around, and have some fun.
And if you want to give a gift--give a green one.
Okay, where do I get a green gift, you ask?
BEHOLD!
http://www.treehugger.com/giftguide/
Also consider thrift stores, craft shows, anything local. I got a local artisan craft for my birthday--and I effing loved it. Supporting local people, saving resources, and I got a super cute, meaningful gift!
Alright, well that's it for me.
Sorry, that ended up being long as hell.
<3 times
Manic Panic
Monday, November 14, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Revelations & Recognition
Alright, so I had some personal diet breakthroughs this past week (fascinating, I know) and I'd like to share what I learned--and incorporate some of that stuff into the challenges for this week as well!
Alright, so here we go!
Challenge 27: Dangers of Dairy: So easy a Caveman could do it? So, a little background before the foreground: A couple of weeks ago I decided I'd live forever and be impervious to harm by going Raw Vegan. Then, after doing that for 5 days and feeling like garbage--I decided that a. life doesn't work that way b. you can't be raw vegan when you live in Canada in the winter c. I value my teeth d. happiness is about mental health first, exercise second, and diet third (in that order).
So, after that happened--I began looking on the interwebs and discovered Paleolithic eating. Now, I will not lie--I'm hooked on this thing. However, I won't spend this post preaching -- not the point. The point of my discoveries was that I began reading about the potential dangers of eating too much dairy--and the havoc it can reek on the gastrointestinal tract.
Some food for thought, if you will:
http://www.naturalnews.com/030403_cancer_cure.html
http://freefromharm.org/food/health-nutrition/20-experts-on-the-dairy-%E2%80%94-breast-cancer-connection/
I'm almost convinced that dairy causes breast cancer at this point, but I am no doctor or scientist, so my opinions are merely food for thought and everyone should do their own research before changing anything in their diet. I'm also over soy almost completely, and blame it as well for the reason girls are getting menstruation at 8 years old. There's soy in EVERYTHING. If it's processed--it's probably got soy in it. A little soy I think is fine, but it's honestly in everything.
And if you'd like to read a fair, balanced, and informative series of articles about diet, nutrition, and the dangers of believing facts from lazy scientists, check out this woman's blog (Am I obsessed? Yes) and some other stuff...
http://rawfoodsos.com/
And also check out these guys:
http://www.beyondveg.com/index.shtml
http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=2413&catId=8
So, take a look. I had a revelation this week, and maybe you will have one too.
Disclaimer: I have not eaten meat in a long long time. However, after reading all of this I am considering it. HOWEVER (bold, exclamation point), this does not mean that a.I think veganism isn't a valid way to eat b. everyone should eat meat all the time c. factory farms are okay d. I will let ANY meat that isn't organic, free range, grass fed, etc, come anywhere near me. After reading all of this stuff, I just decided that to me, eating vegan isn't necessarily healthier, or, the healthiest way to eat. It is LEAPS and BOUNDS better than eating SAD (standard American diet), but is it better HEALTH WISE than eating small amounts of meat now and then? I don't know. And yet, this does not discredit veganism AT ALL as an ideological choice. Some people choose to be vegan/vegetarian as an animal rights issue--and this is admirable and should be respected as such.
Challenge 28: Grains? Have you betrayed me too?
Okay, so this has the same back story. However, trying to face this was hard to face--as I love grains more than anything.
But, more food for thought:
http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/China-Study.html
http://foodforbreastcancer.com/foods/bread
http://rawfoodsos.com/category/wheat-2/
As someone who read the China Study as a college freshman and took it as bible, this was upsetting--but eye opening. It shows that, in the end, you need to get your hands on the raw data and examine it yourself and make your own decisions. Because scientists have an agenda just like everyone else, and the omission of the link between wheat/grains and heart disease/cancer was a BLATANT omission.
http://bradmarshall.blogspot.com/2005/12/is-wheat-killing-us-introduction-maybe.html
And I'm fully aware that all North America grows on mass is wheat and grain and corn, so, you know, expect Fox news to cover something like this in the same episode where they say Climate change is real.
Okay, so after all that--what's the moral of the story? Both challenges are to do some research and (once again) be aware of what you're putting in your body.
And remember--don't stress too much, because you should put your mental health first, exercise health second, and diet third. Is diet important? Frighteningly so. However, if missing a Starbucks run once a month with your friend will make you really upset emotionally--not worth it.
Okay, this post was also a little sporadic but I'm off to California next week so I'm all scatter brained!
<3 times
ManicPanic
Ps. This past Sunday, 6000 protestors marched on, and circled, the White House to protest the Keystone XL pipeline. Did this get ANY news coverage? Nope. But, as the mainstream news works for big oil--I don't even blame them anymore. They are paid in oil money. People need to educate themselves independent of the mainstream news. A pipeline that will create 50 jobs, and in doing so poison millions, not to mention the whole environment from Alberta to Texas. Actually. So, check out these modern day heroes and if you can lend a hand in any way--the future will thank you!
The official opposition website:
http://www.tarsandsaction.org/
Proof that the whole world will honestly hate Canada/America if this goes through
http://www.no-tar-sands.org/
Alright, so here we go!
Challenge 27: Dangers of Dairy: So easy a Caveman could do it? So, a little background before the foreground: A couple of weeks ago I decided I'd live forever and be impervious to harm by going Raw Vegan. Then, after doing that for 5 days and feeling like garbage--I decided that a. life doesn't work that way b. you can't be raw vegan when you live in Canada in the winter c. I value my teeth d. happiness is about mental health first, exercise second, and diet third (in that order).
So, after that happened--I began looking on the interwebs and discovered Paleolithic eating. Now, I will not lie--I'm hooked on this thing. However, I won't spend this post preaching -- not the point. The point of my discoveries was that I began reading about the potential dangers of eating too much dairy--and the havoc it can reek on the gastrointestinal tract.
Some food for thought, if you will:
http://www.naturalnews.com/030403_cancer_cure.html
http://freefromharm.org/food/health-nutrition/20-experts-on-the-dairy-%E2%80%94-breast-cancer-connection/
I'm almost convinced that dairy causes breast cancer at this point, but I am no doctor or scientist, so my opinions are merely food for thought and everyone should do their own research before changing anything in their diet. I'm also over soy almost completely, and blame it as well for the reason girls are getting menstruation at 8 years old. There's soy in EVERYTHING. If it's processed--it's probably got soy in it. A little soy I think is fine, but it's honestly in everything.
And if you'd like to read a fair, balanced, and informative series of articles about diet, nutrition, and the dangers of believing facts from lazy scientists, check out this woman's blog (Am I obsessed? Yes) and some other stuff...
http://rawfoodsos.com/
And also check out these guys:
http://www.beyondveg.com/index.shtml
http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=2413&catId=8
So, take a look. I had a revelation this week, and maybe you will have one too.
Disclaimer: I have not eaten meat in a long long time. However, after reading all of this I am considering it. HOWEVER (bold, exclamation point), this does not mean that a.I think veganism isn't a valid way to eat b. everyone should eat meat all the time c. factory farms are okay d. I will let ANY meat that isn't organic, free range, grass fed, etc, come anywhere near me. After reading all of this stuff, I just decided that to me, eating vegan isn't necessarily healthier, or, the healthiest way to eat. It is LEAPS and BOUNDS better than eating SAD (standard American diet), but is it better HEALTH WISE than eating small amounts of meat now and then? I don't know. And yet, this does not discredit veganism AT ALL as an ideological choice. Some people choose to be vegan/vegetarian as an animal rights issue--and this is admirable and should be respected as such.
Challenge 28: Grains? Have you betrayed me too?
Okay, so this has the same back story. However, trying to face this was hard to face--as I love grains more than anything.
But, more food for thought:
http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/China-Study.html
http://foodforbreastcancer.com/foods/bread
http://rawfoodsos.com/category/wheat-2/
As someone who read the China Study as a college freshman and took it as bible, this was upsetting--but eye opening. It shows that, in the end, you need to get your hands on the raw data and examine it yourself and make your own decisions. Because scientists have an agenda just like everyone else, and the omission of the link between wheat/grains and heart disease/cancer was a BLATANT omission.
http://bradmarshall.blogspot.com/2005/12/is-wheat-killing-us-introduction-maybe.html
And I'm fully aware that all North America grows on mass is wheat and grain and corn, so, you know, expect Fox news to cover something like this in the same episode where they say Climate change is real.
Okay, so after all that--what's the moral of the story? Both challenges are to do some research and (once again) be aware of what you're putting in your body.
And remember--don't stress too much, because you should put your mental health first, exercise health second, and diet third. Is diet important? Frighteningly so. However, if missing a Starbucks run once a month with your friend will make you really upset emotionally--not worth it.
Okay, this post was also a little sporadic but I'm off to California next week so I'm all scatter brained!
<3 times
ManicPanic
Ps. This past Sunday, 6000 protestors marched on, and circled, the White House to protest the Keystone XL pipeline. Did this get ANY news coverage? Nope. But, as the mainstream news works for big oil--I don't even blame them anymore. They are paid in oil money. People need to educate themselves independent of the mainstream news. A pipeline that will create 50 jobs, and in doing so poison millions, not to mention the whole environment from Alberta to Texas. Actually. So, check out these modern day heroes and if you can lend a hand in any way--the future will thank you!
The official opposition website:
http://www.tarsandsaction.org/
Proof that the whole world will honestly hate Canada/America if this goes through
http://www.no-tar-sands.org/
Monday, October 31, 2011
I Get by With a Little Help from my Friends
Hello all,
I'm back from an exhausting yet awesome weekend in the city so this will I will be brief and be gone. The theme of this week is valuing social connections (I know, something different right?! *sarcasm face*)
Challenge 25: Spread a little love (not that kind of love. I mean, you can, but that's not the point of the challenge) to the people in your life who mean something to you, and think about what you'd be willing to do for those people. I love my family and friends, and this weekend made me truly appreciate the value of friends who are willing to listen to you and help you work stuff out. Now, since we all love our friends, we want them to have clean drinking water/food/air. So check out these links:
Fight for your water:
http://books.google.ca/books?id=7zCV2kAAgT4C&pg=PA143&lpg=PA143&dq=exxon+water+quality&source=bl&ots=5grqzc7Zun&sig=lv1UmeYS04nTqPbYXIXEgKjvNLM&hl=en&ei=cGKvTtulL-Pl0QGWuf3iAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=exxon%20water%20quality&f=false
Fight for your air quality:
http://energyandenvironmentblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/07/ap-exxon-refinery-violated-air.html
Fight for your food quality:
http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/2003/agriculturehealthstudy
(I hate Exxon today, just in case you couldn't tell. As my bff Bill Mckibbon says, they don't own the sky)
Challenge 26: Embrace public transit and smart city spaces. I couldn't explain how wonderful it was to be able to get places without a car. Truly glorious. Trains, streetcars, buses, you name it. I find myself amazed as usual. So, this week, take public transit. People watch. Interact with other humanoids. Humans need other humans to be fully functioning. And suburbs have a terrible habit of socially isolating people. It's all the disadvantages of a city and all the disadvantages of the country combined. So, if you live in a city--embrace it. And if you don't -- visit it. Or if you live NOWHERE near one--do something extremely social so you get a similar experience.
Okay I'm done. This weeks challenges are a little short and sporadic--but I'm on caffeine OD over here--so forgive me.
<3 Manic Panic
I'm back from an exhausting yet awesome weekend in the city so this will I will be brief and be gone. The theme of this week is valuing social connections (I know, something different right?! *sarcasm face*)
Challenge 25: Spread a little love (not that kind of love. I mean, you can, but that's not the point of the challenge) to the people in your life who mean something to you, and think about what you'd be willing to do for those people. I love my family and friends, and this weekend made me truly appreciate the value of friends who are willing to listen to you and help you work stuff out. Now, since we all love our friends, we want them to have clean drinking water/food/air. So check out these links:
Fight for your water:
http://books.google.ca/books?id=7zCV2kAAgT4C&pg=PA143&lpg=PA143&dq=exxon+water+quality&source=bl&ots=5grqzc7Zun&sig=lv1UmeYS04nTqPbYXIXEgKjvNLM&hl=en&ei=cGKvTtulL-Pl0QGWuf3iAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=exxon%20water%20quality&f=false
Fight for your air quality:
http://energyandenvironmentblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/07/ap-exxon-refinery-violated-air.html
Fight for your food quality:
http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/2003/agriculturehealthstudy
(I hate Exxon today, just in case you couldn't tell. As my bff Bill Mckibbon says, they don't own the sky)
Challenge 26: Embrace public transit and smart city spaces. I couldn't explain how wonderful it was to be able to get places without a car. Truly glorious. Trains, streetcars, buses, you name it. I find myself amazed as usual. So, this week, take public transit. People watch. Interact with other humanoids. Humans need other humans to be fully functioning. And suburbs have a terrible habit of socially isolating people. It's all the disadvantages of a city and all the disadvantages of the country combined. So, if you live in a city--embrace it. And if you don't -- visit it. Or if you live NOWHERE near one--do something extremely social so you get a similar experience.
Okay I'm done. This weeks challenges are a little short and sporadic--but I'm on caffeine OD over here--so forgive me.
<3 Manic Panic
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Perspective
'Make sure your words are sweet, just in case you have to eat them'.
Sound advice. And advice that I should definitely incorporate into my life. Why? Well in case you haven't noticed... I'm generally full of rage. And because I get so angry at... well... lots of things. However, what I have a really hard time realizing is that my rage often blinds me to the other side of things. I am a normally calm person... in person. However, over media communication-- my rage tends to spiral out of control until I resemble this:
So, this weeks challenges are going to be about perspective. Why the sudden change of heart? Well, I was ranting to my dear friend about #OWS stuff being totally ignorant of the fact that both of my friend's parents are bankers. I had pretty much gotten to the point where a banker = a monster in my mind--and of course this is ridiculous. My friend kindly explained while she agrees with the principles of #OWS (i.e. making billionaires pay taxes), she tends to dislike when the #OWS movement goes after all bankers as if they are all evil and responsible for the financial Hindenburg. She also patiently explained to me that her grandfather had started a small savings in loan in her state, and by the time her dad took over the company it had been one of the biggest banks in the state. She also explained how her father went without salary for years so that his employees would not suffer. Needless to say, I felt like a total asshat. Here I am comparing bankers to the actual antichrist and she patiently tells her side of the story-- a side that I'd never even considered.
Of course not all bankers are monsters. There are people everywhere who are in the corporate and financial system who are hard working, kind, generous people who are actively involved in their communities. There are even some green people in there. We can't all have organic rabbit farms-- as much as I'd love that to be the case. And I would argue that, just like the no taxes on the 1%, that 95% + of the people on the various levels of the financial and corporate system aren't making these earth shattering decisions. They aren't hiring lobbyists that deregulate safety and environmental standards. They are just people who want to live their lives. Aren't we all?
This doesn't mean I no longer believe in #OWS. On the contrary, I'm full of as much fire and brimstone as ever. However, what this made me realize is that our world is complex. We aren't just leftest hippies and corporate fat cats. In fact, I'd argue that the majority of us are somewhere in the middle. And we need to ALL come towards a slower, greener existence-- whatever that means. Because we'll get to that point anyway, and this way will have way fewer casualties.
Alright, so perspective...
Challenge 23: Take some time out to genuinely experience nature. Now, for some of us, it's about to get really cold in a couple of weeks. So, for this week's challenge I want you to spend 1 hour + completely submerged in nature. This means no cell phones, no ipods, no technology. Just you and the water and the trees. Connecting with nature is good exercise, reconnects us with the earth, and provides much needed relief for stress and anxiety. So, take a walk in a beautiful, natural spot--and appreciate the gorgeousness all around you--because not everyone has access to green spaces... And if you like it--make it a weekly thing. Make it a daily thing. The more time we spend in nature, the more we appreciate and realize the importance of nature, and the harder we'll fight for nature.
Challenge 24: Walk a mile in someone else's shoes. Now, there are some people in my life right now (don't worry-- she'd rather die than read something like this and would have no idea it's on here anyway) who drive me insane. Actually. Up the wall bananas. I never dealt well with the whole, "I'm a bitch. Deal with it" attitude, and that combined with insane unearned wealth drives me batshit. BUT. Since this week is about perspective, I decided to look at things from her point of view. I realized that I'm being too harsh. That, when I was 18, I thought some of the same things she thinks (I know--the HORROR), and that if I'd grown up with exceptionally wealthy, exceptionally protective parents who completely sheltered me from everything--I'd share those opinions as well. Raising kids is not a job for sissies. It takes a lot of work to have them come out as well rounded worldly people--especially by 18. Moral of the story is that I've dialed down my rage against this girl by about 1000 notches--and this only happened because of perspective. Because I took the time to understand things from her view. Does this mean I agree with her? Lmfao no chance in hell. But it means I understand her a lot better. Which is key. So the challenge, as it so often is on this blog, is to be an informed person and discover the varying viewpoints in a story. Take any issue, and be informed on both sides. See all the information, and then you are much more equipped to form an opinion--in addition to being able to prevent a rage blackout.
Okay! Sorry for another feelings heavy post! My best friend is probably loving this. She loves feelings.
<3 Manic Panic
PS. ENORMOUS shout out to Neptune's Nachos whose hometown had an AMAZING Climate Shift AND Tar Sands movement today. People always give Cleveland a bad rap (*cough* Lebron James *cough*) but today proved that the Midwest can be pretty effing awesome! WoOoOoOo!
Sound advice. And advice that I should definitely incorporate into my life. Why? Well in case you haven't noticed... I'm generally full of rage. And because I get so angry at... well... lots of things. However, what I have a really hard time realizing is that my rage often blinds me to the other side of things. I am a normally calm person... in person. However, over media communication-- my rage tends to spiral out of control until I resemble this:
So, this weeks challenges are going to be about perspective. Why the sudden change of heart? Well, I was ranting to my dear friend about #OWS stuff being totally ignorant of the fact that both of my friend's parents are bankers. I had pretty much gotten to the point where a banker = a monster in my mind--and of course this is ridiculous. My friend kindly explained while she agrees with the principles of #OWS (i.e. making billionaires pay taxes), she tends to dislike when the #OWS movement goes after all bankers as if they are all evil and responsible for the financial Hindenburg. She also patiently explained to me that her grandfather had started a small savings in loan in her state, and by the time her dad took over the company it had been one of the biggest banks in the state. She also explained how her father went without salary for years so that his employees would not suffer. Needless to say, I felt like a total asshat. Here I am comparing bankers to the actual antichrist and she patiently tells her side of the story-- a side that I'd never even considered.
Of course not all bankers are monsters. There are people everywhere who are in the corporate and financial system who are hard working, kind, generous people who are actively involved in their communities. There are even some green people in there. We can't all have organic rabbit farms-- as much as I'd love that to be the case. And I would argue that, just like the no taxes on the 1%, that 95% + of the people on the various levels of the financial and corporate system aren't making these earth shattering decisions. They aren't hiring lobbyists that deregulate safety and environmental standards. They are just people who want to live their lives. Aren't we all?
This doesn't mean I no longer believe in #OWS. On the contrary, I'm full of as much fire and brimstone as ever. However, what this made me realize is that our world is complex. We aren't just leftest hippies and corporate fat cats. In fact, I'd argue that the majority of us are somewhere in the middle. And we need to ALL come towards a slower, greener existence-- whatever that means. Because we'll get to that point anyway, and this way will have way fewer casualties.
Alright, so perspective...
Challenge 23: Take some time out to genuinely experience nature. Now, for some of us, it's about to get really cold in a couple of weeks. So, for this week's challenge I want you to spend 1 hour + completely submerged in nature. This means no cell phones, no ipods, no technology. Just you and the water and the trees. Connecting with nature is good exercise, reconnects us with the earth, and provides much needed relief for stress and anxiety. So, take a walk in a beautiful, natural spot--and appreciate the gorgeousness all around you--because not everyone has access to green spaces... And if you like it--make it a weekly thing. Make it a daily thing. The more time we spend in nature, the more we appreciate and realize the importance of nature, and the harder we'll fight for nature.
Challenge 24: Walk a mile in someone else's shoes. Now, there are some people in my life right now (don't worry-- she'd rather die than read something like this and would have no idea it's on here anyway) who drive me insane. Actually. Up the wall bananas. I never dealt well with the whole, "I'm a bitch. Deal with it" attitude, and that combined with insane unearned wealth drives me batshit. BUT. Since this week is about perspective, I decided to look at things from her point of view. I realized that I'm being too harsh. That, when I was 18, I thought some of the same things she thinks (I know--the HORROR), and that if I'd grown up with exceptionally wealthy, exceptionally protective parents who completely sheltered me from everything--I'd share those opinions as well. Raising kids is not a job for sissies. It takes a lot of work to have them come out as well rounded worldly people--especially by 18. Moral of the story is that I've dialed down my rage against this girl by about 1000 notches--and this only happened because of perspective. Because I took the time to understand things from her view. Does this mean I agree with her? Lmfao no chance in hell. But it means I understand her a lot better. Which is key. So the challenge, as it so often is on this blog, is to be an informed person and discover the varying viewpoints in a story. Take any issue, and be informed on both sides. See all the information, and then you are much more equipped to form an opinion--in addition to being able to prevent a rage blackout.
Okay! Sorry for another feelings heavy post! My best friend is probably loving this. She loves feelings.
<3 Manic Panic
PS. ENORMOUS shout out to Neptune's Nachos whose hometown had an AMAZING Climate Shift AND Tar Sands movement today. People always give Cleveland a bad rap (*cough* Lebron James *cough*) but today proved that the Midwest can be pretty effing awesome! WoOoOoOo!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Et in Arcadia Ego
You can't take it with you. You can't. The stuff, the money, the junk, even the treasures... none of it goes with us. Wherever we go--not the point. The point is we have to do the best we can in this life... because none of it comes with us in the next. What remains, however, is the impression we make on other people. In art history, when we purposefully remind ourselves that life is fleeting, we call it a momento mori, a reminder of death. By reminding ourselves of death--we come to realize the true value of life. Also, we realize that through things like art--life can never die.
For a visual reference to this, check out this painting by Poussin :
These are shepherds, in Arcadia (ancient Greek shepherd paradise--more or less), and they come upon a grave stone. The grave says, "Et in Arcadia ego", and it is a momento mori. The Latin means, "I too, am in paradise". The Greeks idealized Arcadia as a wonderful, idyllic, pastoral place. But the meaning here is that--even in Arcadia--death rules. However, by painting these shepherds--youth is preserved eternally through art. "I, death, am also in Arcadia".
The theme of this post comes from a conversation I had at work this week. When discussing a teacher I had had in high school who passed 2.5 years ago, I was overcome by tears. Not so much that he died--but that, in life, he did everything a person is supposed to do. Wonderful man, wonderful teacher, wonderful husband, wonderful father. Always willing to lend a hand. Always willing to help. Would give you the shirt off his back and then some. The kind of person we don't think really exists--the kind of person who is honestly just too good. But he was real alright, and I don't think I'll ever forget the various impressions he made on my life. When I was around 10, my two cousins (who were then ages 17 and 19) were in a terrible car accident. They were airlifted to a hospital about an hour away. The second this teacher (who also taught and coached my cousins) heard the news, he got in his car and drove the hospital. Pretending to be an uncle, he visited both my cousins and stayed at the hospital with them for 2 days. He was that kind of person.
So, the point? The point is that the stuff, the ipods and iphones and blenders and tvs and watches and shoes and golf clubs... at the end of the day none of it even remotely matters. It's almost comical how little it matters in the end. In the end, whenever that end may be, we are remembered by the human connections we make in this life. No one ever said, "Oh, that Joe, he had a really beautiful watch, shame he's dead". I can't express the shockwaves that this teachers death sent throughout the community--but in retrospect, it just shows what an impact he had on this community. His impact lives on with his children, his students, and all the athletes he coached. He may not have lived long--but there was endless live in his years--and that's another theme of this weeks challenges.
Challenge 21 : Make connections in your local community. This summer, I discovered the value and joy of a farmers market. I loved it so much I signed up for an organic CSA box for the winter. So, I urge you all to do the same. I'm not saying get a CSA share, I'm just saying get to know the people around you who feed you. Farmers, small farmers, feed cities. Massive agriculture conglomerates who run on slave illegal labor--they do not feed cities. They provide pesticide exposure--that's what they do. The rate of cancer, ADHD, lung problems, heart problems, pain problems, and endless other maladies have been linked to pesticide exposure. Not to mention the disgusting environmental destruction in the form of run-off and forest destruction that large scale commercial agriculture can cause. For information on the link between pesticides and... well death and disease, check out here http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=farm-pesticides-linked-to-skin-cancer and here http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/farm-pesticides-linked-to-deadly-skin-cancer. Or you can google 'cancer' and 'pesticides' and watch the million hits that show up. So the challenge this week is to locate your local, and preferably organic farmer. They don't have to be 'certified' organic--but the point is that when I can talk to the person growing my food--I get the straight story. The story that I am entitled too. Often the case is that farmers use no pesticides, herbicides or fungacides, but the price of being organic is simply too high for local farmers. So they are organically grown foods, but they aren't certified. Just get the straight story. To find out where there is local food near you, check out: http://www.localharvest.org/(for the US) and http://www.localharvest.ca/ (for Canadaland)
Challenge 22: Be the change you wish to see in the world. Now, now, I know you saw this coming, but the second challenge is about #OccupyWallstreet. People are rising up. As they fucking should. Now, I'm not asking you to go out there and join the protest in person (but if you did you'd be my hero forever). What I'm asking is that you get informed on the issue. Read and discover why people are pissed, why they are protesting, and why the #OccupyWallStreet movement is linked very closely with the climate movement. At one point during this week, Bill Mckibben (Climate Change GOD, seriously if I ever met him I'd fangirl scream and pass out) made a passionate speech that (when I watched it later) reduced me almost to tears. "Exxon doesn't own the sky"-- was probably my favorite line. So, the challenge is to check it out, to realize how the banking and financial system has been actually fucking us illegally for years and years. It has come to the point where it cannot stand anymore. Somebody is finally taking a stand. Somebody is finally saying--enough.
Why you should be pissed off:
www.treehugger.com/files/2011/10/henry-blodget-explains-real-reasons-behind-occupations.php
Bill Mckibben's Words at #OWS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13S5uqPLJUk&noredirect=1
Proof that people all over the US are fucking pissed off: http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/10/occupy-wall-street-protest-map
And some #OWS lolz: http://www.someecards.com/columbus-day-cards/occupy-wall-street-america-columbus-day-funny-ecard
Be a memorable person. Be an informed person. Be a person who will be remembered for what they did for their family, community, and the planet. because in the end-- all people will have of us are memories of our actions.
Ps. Sorry for the history lesson/personal history in this one--but necessary is necessary.
<3 ManicPanic
For a visual reference to this, check out this painting by Poussin :
These are shepherds, in Arcadia (ancient Greek shepherd paradise--more or less), and they come upon a grave stone. The grave says, "Et in Arcadia ego", and it is a momento mori. The Latin means, "I too, am in paradise". The Greeks idealized Arcadia as a wonderful, idyllic, pastoral place. But the meaning here is that--even in Arcadia--death rules. However, by painting these shepherds--youth is preserved eternally through art. "I, death, am also in Arcadia".
The theme of this post comes from a conversation I had at work this week. When discussing a teacher I had had in high school who passed 2.5 years ago, I was overcome by tears. Not so much that he died--but that, in life, he did everything a person is supposed to do. Wonderful man, wonderful teacher, wonderful husband, wonderful father. Always willing to lend a hand. Always willing to help. Would give you the shirt off his back and then some. The kind of person we don't think really exists--the kind of person who is honestly just too good. But he was real alright, and I don't think I'll ever forget the various impressions he made on my life. When I was around 10, my two cousins (who were then ages 17 and 19) were in a terrible car accident. They were airlifted to a hospital about an hour away. The second this teacher (who also taught and coached my cousins) heard the news, he got in his car and drove the hospital. Pretending to be an uncle, he visited both my cousins and stayed at the hospital with them for 2 days. He was that kind of person.
So, the point? The point is that the stuff, the ipods and iphones and blenders and tvs and watches and shoes and golf clubs... at the end of the day none of it even remotely matters. It's almost comical how little it matters in the end. In the end, whenever that end may be, we are remembered by the human connections we make in this life. No one ever said, "Oh, that Joe, he had a really beautiful watch, shame he's dead". I can't express the shockwaves that this teachers death sent throughout the community--but in retrospect, it just shows what an impact he had on this community. His impact lives on with his children, his students, and all the athletes he coached. He may not have lived long--but there was endless live in his years--and that's another theme of this weeks challenges.
Challenge 21 : Make connections in your local community. This summer, I discovered the value and joy of a farmers market. I loved it so much I signed up for an organic CSA box for the winter. So, I urge you all to do the same. I'm not saying get a CSA share, I'm just saying get to know the people around you who feed you. Farmers, small farmers, feed cities. Massive agriculture conglomerates who run on slave illegal labor--they do not feed cities. They provide pesticide exposure--that's what they do. The rate of cancer, ADHD, lung problems, heart problems, pain problems, and endless other maladies have been linked to pesticide exposure. Not to mention the disgusting environmental destruction in the form of run-off and forest destruction that large scale commercial agriculture can cause. For information on the link between pesticides and... well death and disease, check out here http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=farm-pesticides-linked-to-skin-cancer and here http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/farm-pesticides-linked-to-deadly-skin-cancer. Or you can google 'cancer' and 'pesticides' and watch the million hits that show up. So the challenge this week is to locate your local, and preferably organic farmer. They don't have to be 'certified' organic--but the point is that when I can talk to the person growing my food--I get the straight story. The story that I am entitled too. Often the case is that farmers use no pesticides, herbicides or fungacides, but the price of being organic is simply too high for local farmers. So they are organically grown foods, but they aren't certified. Just get the straight story. To find out where there is local food near you, check out: http://www.localharvest.org/(for the US) and http://www.localharvest.ca/ (for Canadaland)
Challenge 22: Be the change you wish to see in the world. Now, now, I know you saw this coming, but the second challenge is about #OccupyWallstreet. People are rising up. As they fucking should. Now, I'm not asking you to go out there and join the protest in person (but if you did you'd be my hero forever). What I'm asking is that you get informed on the issue. Read and discover why people are pissed, why they are protesting, and why the #OccupyWallStreet movement is linked very closely with the climate movement. At one point during this week, Bill Mckibben (Climate Change GOD, seriously if I ever met him I'd fangirl scream and pass out) made a passionate speech that (when I watched it later) reduced me almost to tears. "Exxon doesn't own the sky"-- was probably my favorite line. So, the challenge is to check it out, to realize how the banking and financial system has been actually fucking us illegally for years and years. It has come to the point where it cannot stand anymore. Somebody is finally taking a stand. Somebody is finally saying--enough.
Why you should be pissed off:
www.treehugger.com/files/2011/10/henry-blodget-explains-real-reasons-behind-occupations.php
Bill Mckibben's Words at #OWS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13S5uqPLJUk&noredirect=1
Proof that people all over the US are fucking pissed off: http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/10/occupy-wall-street-protest-map
And some #OWS lolz: http://www.someecards.com/columbus-day-cards/occupy-wall-street-america-columbus-day-funny-ecard
Be a memorable person. Be an informed person. Be a person who will be remembered for what they did for their family, community, and the planet. because in the end-- all people will have of us are memories of our actions.
Ps. Sorry for the history lesson/personal history in this one--but necessary is necessary.
<3 ManicPanic
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Be Thankful
Alright, so it's Thanksgiving up were I am today. And in honor of such a holiday--we have some 'being thankful' themed challenges for you this week! I can't believe it's been 10 weeks already! Holy green batman!
Challenge 19: Be thankful. So, this one is sort of self explanatory, and therefore it should be easy. Be thankful if you live in an area with clean water, clean air, access to food, & no extreme weather. Just as an FYI, if nothing is done about the current state of our planet, the number of people with access to those things will shrink every year until none of us have access to any of them anymore. Tragedy of the Commons, anyone?
Challenge 20: Enjoy the last of the harvest. So, up here the harvest season is wrapping up. As part of this week's challenge, I ask that you enjoy the harvest before we settle in to winter. Buy some local, fresh food. Then, take some of that food and find a way to preserve it for the winter. Make a stew and freeze half of it. Take some apples and make a pie.
I know a lot of this challenge has been food centered--but it's only because I feel so passionately about organic, local food. We need to support local farmers. We need to support the people who feed us. We need to support non GMO, non frankenfood. I personally don't want a tomato in February shipped from who knows where that's been cross bred with a frog. I'd rather have delicious, local tomatoes from August-October and then save them as best I can so I can enjoy them all winter. Be an ant.
Alright, that's all for this week!
Endless <3
ManicPanic
Challenge 19: Be thankful. So, this one is sort of self explanatory, and therefore it should be easy. Be thankful if you live in an area with clean water, clean air, access to food, & no extreme weather. Just as an FYI, if nothing is done about the current state of our planet, the number of people with access to those things will shrink every year until none of us have access to any of them anymore. Tragedy of the Commons, anyone?
Challenge 20: Enjoy the last of the harvest. So, up here the harvest season is wrapping up. As part of this week's challenge, I ask that you enjoy the harvest before we settle in to winter. Buy some local, fresh food. Then, take some of that food and find a way to preserve it for the winter. Make a stew and freeze half of it. Take some apples and make a pie.
I know a lot of this challenge has been food centered--but it's only because I feel so passionately about organic, local food. We need to support local farmers. We need to support the people who feed us. We need to support non GMO, non frankenfood. I personally don't want a tomato in February shipped from who knows where that's been cross bred with a frog. I'd rather have delicious, local tomatoes from August-October and then save them as best I can so I can enjoy them all winter. Be an ant.
Alright, that's all for this week!
Endless <3
ManicPanic
Monday, October 3, 2011
One day, somebody's gonna have to make a stand. One day, somebody's gonna have to say -- enough.
Hello! I've got some weekly rage and challenges for you all! I've just decided that all my emoticons have been scooped out--and only rage remains. I'm like a turkey... filled with rage instead of stuffing. Not that I eat turkey, but you catch my drift.
Okay, so, now that we got that out of the way... let's be green!
Challenge 17. Share. Yup, that's it. Easy, right? Didn't we cover this one in kindergarten? I have 20 cookies. Rather than stuff my face with all 20, vomit, and feel sick by my own gluttony--I share those cookies with 10-20 of my friends. Now, everyone has a cookie. And my friends like me. And I feel good on the inside. Sound simple? Well--do it then. The theme here is sharing is caring. How is sharing formed? Well, as my Nonno says, 'we are brothers and sisters on this earth'. And it's true. No matter how leftest pinko ridiculous you might think this statement is-- we are brothers and sisters on this earth. How, you ask? Because we share this earth. Sharing means you give what extra you have to others, and everyone feels good on the inside. Seems easy. So go do it. Open a door for someone. Make a dish and share it with someone. Pick up an extra (fill in blank) and give it to a friend. And what you share doesn't have to be stuff--it can be time, energy, compassion, happiness. Those things can be shared too. Lend an ear, lend a hand, help someone out who needs it. Because isolation divides us--and it makes us depressed, miserable, and selfish. We're in this together--whether you agree or not. And if you disagree--I'm not saying you're wrong. But you're wrong.
Post script: What inspired this post? A blog post by North West Edible Life (http://www.nwedible.com/2011/09/rich-man-mormon-mom-and-dice-rolls-of.html). This woman is incredible. And she made a valid point that struck home with me. No one gets rich on their own. Despite what people might tell you--they don't. Sure, hard work is involved. Obviously it is. But know what else is involved? Dumb luck. Sometimes things work out. Sometimes they don't. And sometimes it doesn't matter how hard you work or how good of a person you are. Bad people do well all the time--just as good people get hit with really shitty situations. The 'share' challenge goes towards the broader point--we must be the safety net for one another when luck doesn't go our way. And when luck does go out way--we need to be willing to acknowledge that there was luck involved and be willing to help out those who need it.
Challenge 18. Get ready to love pumpkins, because this weeks challenge is to do some sort of baking/cooking with a pumpkin! (Lolz I bet you thought it would be another rage filled, angry, call to action activism post--got you!). This week, my baking partner and I (we bake every Tuesday) will be making a *lot* of fall/Thanksgiving foods (it's thanksgiving here next week). So... clearly that means pumpkin! We are keeping it simple--pumpkin bread and pumpkin seeds. However, that's not all we're doing! We are going to save the seeds so that we can use them to make either a seed butter or just eat them (we haven't decided). We are also going to use all extra pumpkin in a stew. Mmmmmmmm. So. That's the challenge. Bake/cook with pumpkin--and use the whole pumpkin. Now, you might not have pumpkins yet in your area--and that's cool! Just shelve this post until they come into season where you are!
Okay! That's all for me! I'm street canvassing for the green party in the upcoming election so I must be off!
Endless <3
ManicPanic
Ps. The title of this post is from "Clash of the Titans". And it's my current mood. We need a Perseus. And we need one now. *manic thumbs up*
Okay, so, now that we got that out of the way... let's be green!
Challenge 17. Share. Yup, that's it. Easy, right? Didn't we cover this one in kindergarten? I have 20 cookies. Rather than stuff my face with all 20, vomit, and feel sick by my own gluttony--I share those cookies with 10-20 of my friends. Now, everyone has a cookie. And my friends like me. And I feel good on the inside. Sound simple? Well--do it then. The theme here is sharing is caring. How is sharing formed? Well, as my Nonno says, 'we are brothers and sisters on this earth'. And it's true. No matter how leftest pinko ridiculous you might think this statement is-- we are brothers and sisters on this earth. How, you ask? Because we share this earth. Sharing means you give what extra you have to others, and everyone feels good on the inside. Seems easy. So go do it. Open a door for someone. Make a dish and share it with someone. Pick up an extra (fill in blank) and give it to a friend. And what you share doesn't have to be stuff--it can be time, energy, compassion, happiness. Those things can be shared too. Lend an ear, lend a hand, help someone out who needs it. Because isolation divides us--and it makes us depressed, miserable, and selfish. We're in this together--whether you agree or not. And if you disagree--I'm not saying you're wrong. But you're wrong.
Post script: What inspired this post? A blog post by North West Edible Life (http://www.nwedible.com/2011/09/rich-man-mormon-mom-and-dice-rolls-of.html). This woman is incredible. And she made a valid point that struck home with me. No one gets rich on their own. Despite what people might tell you--they don't. Sure, hard work is involved. Obviously it is. But know what else is involved? Dumb luck. Sometimes things work out. Sometimes they don't. And sometimes it doesn't matter how hard you work or how good of a person you are. Bad people do well all the time--just as good people get hit with really shitty situations. The 'share' challenge goes towards the broader point--we must be the safety net for one another when luck doesn't go our way. And when luck does go out way--we need to be willing to acknowledge that there was luck involved and be willing to help out those who need it.
Challenge 18. Get ready to love pumpkins, because this weeks challenge is to do some sort of baking/cooking with a pumpkin! (Lolz I bet you thought it would be another rage filled, angry, call to action activism post--got you!). This week, my baking partner and I (we bake every Tuesday) will be making a *lot* of fall/Thanksgiving foods (it's thanksgiving here next week). So... clearly that means pumpkin! We are keeping it simple--pumpkin bread and pumpkin seeds. However, that's not all we're doing! We are going to save the seeds so that we can use them to make either a seed butter or just eat them (we haven't decided). We are also going to use all extra pumpkin in a stew. Mmmmmmmm. So. That's the challenge. Bake/cook with pumpkin--and use the whole pumpkin. Now, you might not have pumpkins yet in your area--and that's cool! Just shelve this post until they come into season where you are!
Okay! That's all for me! I'm street canvassing for the green party in the upcoming election so I must be off!
Endless <3
ManicPanic
Ps. The title of this post is from "Clash of the Titans". And it's my current mood. We need a Perseus. And we need one now. *manic thumbs up*
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